Wilmington | Wilmington resident Charlie Lipari told the Muscular Dystrophy Association that living with the disease ALS has taught him not to waste time and to tell those close to him that he loves them.

“Shock, of course shock,” said Saint Mary Baptist Church Deacon John Galloway.

It was the only way members of Saint Mary Baptist Church in Winnabow could describe their reaction when they heard their church’s steeple was struck by lighting Thursday. The strike caused a fire to burn and destroy the front of the church, but they believe everything happens for a reason.

The Saint Mary flock had just three days to find a new location for their Sunday services. Luckily, they found a temporary home just across Highway 17 at a community building, and the service did not miss a beat. Saint Mary Baptist Church member Traci Bullock said, “It shows the love that we have that we, in spite of tragedy, continue to go on and be blessed by the Lord in service.”

While they felt blest to find a new home, members said it did not matter if the congregation had a roof over their heads. “That’s a building, buildings can be replaced. You can stand out here in this yard and have church because it’s in the people’s heart,” Galloway said.

Bullock added, “It’s not about a brick, it’s not about pavement, it’s about what he teaches in his word and us continuing to put it in our hearts.”

At Sunday’s service the collection plate overflowed with donations; part of the effort to rebuild their church bigger and better than before.

“It’s not hard to join together and ban together, especially when you’re doing things out of love,” Bullock said. A love that could be felt at Sunday’s service.

Saint Mary will use the community building at Town Creek Park until they are able to return to the church. No date has been set for when that will be.

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After a lightning strike set the church on fire last week, the congregation pulled together to find a new home for their day of worship.

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A student at Myrtle Grove Middle School is hoping to get the schools’ softball field a makeover.

Bailey Williams entered a contest through Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes to revamp the field. Thousands of athletic fields were nominated from all across the country. Kellogg’s selected Myrtle Grove’s softball field as one of the 100 semi-finalists. Bailey said the field could use some work. “In the outfield there are holes all over the place and just recently I tripped at a recent practice because there’s a big hole in the outfield,” she said. “The infield is always hard and it’s really hard for my coach to work the sand for it to become soft and manageable.”

If you would like to vote for the Myrtle Grove Middle School softball field, go to FrostedFlakes.com, click on Help Rebuild America’s Playing Fields, then click Wilmington on the map. Myrtle Grove Middle School will pop up, and from there you can cast your vote.

Voting ends May 31st.

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A student at Myrtle Grove Middle School is hoping to get the schools’ softball field a makeover. Bailey Williams entered a contest through Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes to revamp the field.

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The Yaupon Pier will now be known as the Oak Island Pier. It will be free for walkers and cost $9.50 for fishermen. The pier has been closed for more than a year after a bank foreclosure. The town is still waiting for financing to complete the purchase.

In the mean time, Oak Island is leasing the pier from Cooperative Bank for $250 a month. There will be a grand opening celebration Saturday.

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A familiar Brunswick County fishing spot is reopening with a new name Monday. The Yaupon Pier will now be known as the Oak Island Pier.